These Neighborhoods Are Already Leaving Their Marks On the ‘20s

The 2020s should be an exciting time for real estate in Chicagoland. Urban neighborhoods are emerging as trendy yet affordable hotspots, while more established suburbs are providing undeniable value to homebuyers looking outside of the city. Get ahead of the curve by watching the latest installment of @ The Market, in which @properties co-founders Mike Golden and Thad Wong make their picks for the hottest neighborhoods and suburbs to watch over the next decade.

Hottest Neighborhoods:

Thad: East Garfield Park

Located less than three miles west of the West Loop, East Garfield Park is Thad’s neighborhood to watch in the 2020s. The community’s 184-acre namesake park, designed by William LeBaron Jenney, is home to one of the country’s largest plant conservatories, and recent investment is bringing many of the neighborhood’s century-old greystones back to life. Easy access to downtown via the CTA Green Line secures East Garfield Park’s place on Thad’s list.

Mike: Bronzeville

Great architecture and a wide array of housing stock best characterize Mike’s must-watch Chicago pick. Within proximity to downtown, Bronzeville’s lakefront location and increasing rehab and new-construction activity are just a few reasons he thinks homebuyers should keep an eye on the neighborhood. Bronzeville is also seeing a resurgence in art galleries, restaurants, and cafes.

Hottest Suburbs:

Thad: Lake Forest

Buyers looking for a piece of utopia outside the city should look no further than Lake Forest, which has become surprisingly affordable compared to other North Shore towns. Lake Forest has some of the area’s best beaches, schools, and parks and, at 33 miles from The Loop, still offers a manageable commute. A quaint, historic downtown gives Lake Forest a sense of nostalgia, even as the community has modernized.

Mike: Skokie

Less than half the distance from the Loop as Lake Forest, the Village of Skokie takes the spot on Mike’s list of suburbs to watch in the next decade. Mike cites the village’s affordable and diverse housing stock and access to a wealth of resources, such as an award-winning park district, that will add to Skokie’s desirability in the 2020s.